Smart network interface controller operating system binding

A method comprising, in an information handling system including a host system, a management controller configured to provide out-of-band management of the information handling system, and a network interface controller that includes a network interface controller storage resource:

• the management controller receiving, from the host system, a first identifier that is specific to an operating system (OS) of the host system;
• the management controller comparing the first identifier to a second identifier provided by the network interface controller, wherein the second identifier is specific to an OS of the network interface controller that is stored on the network interface controller storage resource;
• and
• in response to a mismatch between the first identifier and the second identifier, the management controller preventing the network interface controller from operating.

An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory, computer-readable medium having instructions thereon that are executable by at least one processor of a management controller of an information handling system for:

• receiving, from a host system of the information handling system, a first identifier that is specific to an operating system (OS) of the host system;
• comparing the first identifier to a second identifier provided by a network interface controller, wherein the second identifier is specific to an OS of the network interface controller that is stored on a network interface controller storage resource;
• and
• in response to a mismatch between the first identifier and the second identifier, preventing the network interface controller from operating.